Welcome to an exciting journey with NASA! Imagine being in space, floating high above the Earth. That’s exactly where NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Mike Hopkins are, aboard the International Space Station (ISS). They have a special message for you about the amazing world of space exploration and how you can be a part of it.
Jessica Watkins, a NASA astronaut, greets us from the ISS. She talks about the “Artemis generation,” which is a group of young people like you who will lead the future of space exploration. NASA is looking for astronauts, scientists, and engineers to help explore space and make life better for everyone on Earth. Who knows? Your ideas might help NASA take its next big step, like missions to the Moon, Mars, and even further!
Mike Hopkins, another NASA astronaut, is also on the ISS with his crewmate Rick Mastracchio. They are orbiting 260 miles above Earth! Mike explains how important computers are in space. They help with everything from planning daily tasks to conducting important science experiments that can improve life on Earth.
NASA needs young people who are good at computer science and coding. These skills are essential for building the technology that will take us to exciting places like the Moon, asteroids, or even Mars. By participating in the Hour of Code, you are learning skills that could change the world. Your coding today might help create the technology of tomorrow!
NASA encourages you to keep learning and exploring. The work you do now could lead to amazing discoveries both on Earth and in space. So, keep aiming high—maybe one day you’ll be the one landing on the Moon!
Remember, the sky is not the limit when it comes to your dreams. Keep up the great work and who knows where your skills might take you!
Imagine you are a NASA astronaut planning a mission to the Moon or Mars. Create a poster that outlines your mission objectives, the technology you’ll need, and the experiments you’ll conduct. Share your poster with the class and explain how coding could help make your mission a success.
Use a simple coding platform like Scratch to create a space-themed game. Your game could involve navigating a spaceship through an asteroid field or collecting samples on a distant planet. Share your game with classmates and discuss the coding skills you used to bring your idea to life.
Take a virtual tour of the International Space Station using online resources. Write a short report about what you learned, focusing on how astronauts use computers and technology to conduct experiments and live in space. Present your findings to the class.
Imagine yourself as a future NASA scientist or astronaut. Write a short script for an interview where you describe your job, the projects you’re working on, and how coding has helped you achieve your goals. Perform your interview for the class.
Join the global Hour of Code event by completing a coding tutorial online. Choose a space-themed project and work through the steps to complete it. Afterward, share what you learned and how it might apply to real-world space exploration.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Station, this is Houston. Are you ready for the event? This is the International Space Station. I hear you loud and clear. Welcome!
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Greetings from the International Space Station! I’m NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins. You are the Artemis generation and the future of space exploration. NASA needs astronauts, scientists, and engineers to power the STEM workforce for the betterment of all humanity. Your contributions may one day lead us towards NASA’s next great leap in space exploration, including future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Hi, I’m NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins, along with my crewmate, NASA’s Rick Mastracchio, flying 260 miles above the Earth aboard the International Space Station. On this magnificent complex, computers are integral to everything we do here in space, including the scheduling of our day-to-day activities and the vital science research we conduct to improve life on Earth.
We need more young people who are skilled in computer science and coding as we build the computers and infrastructure to take us beyond local Earth orbit to destinations like the Moon, an asteroid, or Mars. So we’re excited that you are participating in today’s Hour of Code. Your work today could change the world, both on and off the planet. Keep up the good work and aim for the stars—maybe you’ll land on the Moon.
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
NASA – The United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. – NASA scientists work hard to learn more about space and our solar system.
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to perform specific tasks. – In our computer class, we learned the basics of coding by creating a simple game.
Computers – Electronic devices that can store, retrieve, and process data to perform various tasks. – We use computers in our science class to research information and complete projects.
Astronauts – People who are trained to travel and work in space. – The astronauts aboard the International Space Station conduct experiments that help us understand life in space.
Science – The study of the natural world through observation and experiments. – In science class, we learned about the different planets in our solar system.
Technology – The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Technology helps us communicate with people all over the world instantly.
Exploration – The act of traveling through an unfamiliar area to learn about it. – Space exploration allows us to discover new things about planets and stars.
Earth – The third planet from the Sun and the only known planet to support life. – From space, astronauts can see the beautiful blue oceans and green forests of Earth.
Moon – The natural satellite that orbits Earth and is visible at night. – We learned that the Moon affects the tides on Earth and has different phases.
Mars – The fourth planet from the Sun, known for its reddish appearance. – Scientists are studying Mars to see if it could have supported life in the past.
